Tests of High-Range Water-Reducing Admixtures

Abstract : In the last few years products described as water-reducing admixtures that permit a concrete mixture to have of the order of 20 percent of the mixing water removed without loss of slump have appeared on the market. Advantage can be taken of this effect in the same ways that advantage has been taken of the effect of the several well-known water-reducing admixtures that have been available for many years, i.e., (1) concrete can be made having greater workability and easier placement with no reduction of cement content and no significant change in strength; or (2) the workability can be kept the same, the water content reduced, the cement content left the same, and higher strengths obtained; or (3) the workability and strength can be kept the same while the cement content is reduced, with resulting cost savings. The products that have achieved the greatest recent prominence seem to be marketed primarily for increased strength or increased fluidity rather than reduced cost of materials.